“Thanks to professional and proper actions of special task forces 17 bandits were seized alive and investigators are currently working with them,” Nurgaliyev said at an urgent meeting with his subordinates.

“The detained are giving evidence that will help investigate the events in Kabardino-Balkaria,” said the minister who had to cut short his visit to Luxembourg because of the attack.

Nurgaliyev confirmed 61 militants were killed in clashes.

He called on his subordinates to “take all measures for an early identification of the killed, and to expose their criminal connections and links to terrorists.”